Riding your bike with your doodle?

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

Has anyone tried bike riding with your doodle? I recently observed a rider and dog in the park where we often exercise. The rider was holding the dog's leash and he was running along beside as if in the heel position. It was a large dog and this looked like a great way to vary the exercise and intensity on outings. My dogs are still a little young and need more practice with obedience but this looks like something l would like to try when they settle down some. I am definately not a runner but of course they love to run and I like to bike so this seems like a great combo for us in the future.

[Yvonne, Riley, Murphy and Luca]

I am interested in this topic too. My Riley is a little small to try it yet, but I was thinking maybe I should around the cul-de-sac or something just to get him used to the idea. We have the park nearby and we bike there often in the summer.

I am wondering how you begin introducing the bike to your dog? It seems to me that they would be skittish of it.

[Valerie and Cody]

My husband and I purchased a bike leash (you can find them online). Cody loved it. He could pull all he wanted without pulling us over. We loved it because we could wear him out fast. Just do a google search for bike leashes and you should find something.

[Eva]

I do it with Malibu and she loves it. It does help if the dogs understands the heel position/command. I hold the leash and have her on a harness. At first she wants to pull me and run so fast, it's hard to get her to slow down at times, but more towards the end of a run she is way more controllable. Practice and verbal rewards when they are right next to you are best to reinforce their position. She now does it well and is not afraid of anything. (big trucks or buses) going by, she doesn't blink. We practice random start and stops by verbal commands also. The big word for her is to wait to stop. It's helped when we see other dogs come bounding out of their yards at us, or when approaching stop signs. It can be scarey and a few spills may occur, but again it's worth it. If it's been a while if you've been on a bike, wear your helmet!

[Valerie and Cody]

The reason we got the bike leash was because it was so difficult and dangerous to ride with a leash in our hands. A few spills I don't mind, but a friend of our broke her wrist when her dog pulled her over. Cuts and scrapes require neosporin. Broken wrists require hospital visits. I would either make sure your doodle is trained off-leash, or try something like the bike leash.

[Ali]

My dog is only 30 lbs. and will stay only 30 lbs. probably. Do you think that one day this would be a good exercise for her or should it only be for bigger dogs?

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Ali, I've seen all size dogs running along side bikes. I think it's more the age of the dog that's the issue. My vet said not to do such repetitive exercise on hard surfaces until at least one year old. As for size, I'd think you'd just not be able to go as fast with little legs following you.

[XMAS2008DOODLEOWNER]

Hi my doodle is now 1yr old now and I started bike riding with her when she was about 8 mnth old. I first intruduce the bike
at home inside the house. First I walk with the bike inside the house a couple of times fron one end to the other for a week or so. Later I did the same thing in my backyard and I then rode the bike and slowly intruduce her into doing the same thing I was doing until she got comfortable. Sounds very simple but it wasn't. My doodle is about 35lb. If you need more help please let me know. I will be happy to assist you.

[Ali]

Did you use any sort of attachment? Or anything special?